Daily Times

“Tent Pegging” as the name suggests is a sport of the cavaliers, it is a cavalry sport of removing wooden ‘tent pegs’ positioned in the ground from the back of a galloping horse using a sword or lance. Since the inception of the sport, the greatest challenge of a horseman hinges on the horseman’s arm movement matching the movement of the horse. Therefore, success in this sport is based on the rider’s agility, aptness, and intensity of the hit. A slight paucity of coordination would make the horseman loose the target and the cycle of removal of pegs instated in the ground to end.

In Pakistan, the art of tent pegging having its roots inculcated in the cultural festivity of the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Pakistani society is considered as the most popular equestrian sport in the in the rural areas of Punjab. Sadly, over the years sports like cricket, football and hockey have witnessed immense fan engagement and increased revenues that have resultantly initiated the loss of patronage with tent pegging. Tent Pegging in Pakistan is largely managed by the local community of horse riders and is contemplated as a male-oriented sport centered to the fact that in the last few decades it has been mostly played by men in the cultural festivals of the villages. It is most vital to mention here that the Equestrian Federation of Pakistan, created in 1983 is still in place to promote and develop the Equestrian sports like tent pegging, show jumping, dressage, and endurance riding in Pakistan. The Equestrian Federation of Pakistan management charged with the organizing and promotion of the sport introduced a very invigorating policy wherein the national trials for the Pakistan Tent Pegging Women’s Team were conducted for the creation of the Pakistan Tent Pegging Women Team and to exemplify that tent pegging in Pakistan was no longer a male dominated sport. The Equestrian Federation after the successful conduct of trials finalized a three-member team out of numerous participants from across the country as the first ever Pakistan Tent Pegging Women Team. Soon after their selection the three-membered national equestrian team was tasked to represent the national colors of Pakistan at the Grand Prix Championship in the historic city of Petra, Jordan. The Pakistani women reasserted their authority and confirmed that they are no short of talent, technique and precision when they defeated 11 teams from across the globe to win bronze medal in their first ever international competition.

The Equestrian Federation of Pakistan despite these promising and encouraging gender equal policies for purposely promoting Tent Pegging in Pakistan in the last few months has witnessed a drastic shift away from the purposes and goals for which it was created, and the sport is being envisioned by the Federation as a hobby and not a sport.

This change in approach has resulted in the lack of participation of the men and women equestrian national teams in International and Local Competitions, inconsistencies in their practicing schedules, substandard provisions of facilities, reduced media coverage and financial insecurities. This digression of the Federation’s approach will eventually result in the heightened unpopularity and decreased participation in the prestigious cavalry sport. Moreover, the present members of the national team will be further propelled to give up this sport and focus on their employment opportunities or play from other countries to follow their passion and love for tent pegging. For instance, it is ironic to point out that the Canadian and Norwegian Tent Pegging teams consist of players and coaching staff that once represented Pakistan in International and National Competitions.

Tent Pegging has always been recognized as a tough sport requiring fastidiousness and that this oscillation of the Equestrian Federation away from its responsibilities will negatively affect the growth of sport. It is pertinent to mention here that in this twenty-second century when technological advancements have changed the nature of sports. The National Tent Pegging Teams across the globe are not only being provided facilities and financial securities but are also being prepared to participate in Olympics and other International Tournaments and win medals for their country through extensive trainings in rain and shine. However, the Equestrian Federation wants the national players to win with stone aged bows and arrows from the progressive and expertly trained counterparts. Most importantly, if the Federation does not provide special consideration or empowers the greatly gifted, resilient and capable women equestrian team their motivation and yearn for the sport will diminish and soon the sport will revert to men only sport.

Undoubtedly the present national equestrian teams have the capacity to compete on international and national fronts but an overhauling in the approach of the Equestrian Federation is pivotal and need of the hour. During these years of development, the Federation should strive to provide modern and state of the art facilities to the national/ potential tent pegging horseman and extend financial support as is being provided in sports like cricket. Furthermore, the Equestrian Federation by making use of the multiple media platforms widely accessible to public should highlight the immense potential in this ancient sport so that tent pegging can achieve the same feat and status that other games and other sports enjoy in today’s Pakistani society. Tent Pegging is and should continue to be valued as a cultural tradition and the Equestrian Federation should not leave any stone unturned to warrant it.

The writer is a practicing lawyer.